Water-driven elongated-conveyor turbine and method of using a water-driven elongated-conveyor turbine

ABSTRACT

A water-driven turbine has an elongated endless conveyor with down and up streaming straightaways connected by travel-reversing turns. Paddles mounted on the conveyor present high resistance to waterflow on the downstream straightaway and low resistance to waterflow or the atmosphere on the upstream straightaway, the differential allowing the flow of water to continuously drive the conveyor which is connected to a power take-off shaft facilitating connection to a variety of energy-harnessing systems. The turbine can be towed, self-driven or mooring line manipulated to a flow site and is operable in unidirectional flows such as rivers and reversing flows such as tides at depths from surface to bottom. The paddles can be mounted or changed on shore, at the flow site and anywhere in between. The turbine is efficient in low and high velocity water flow, not easily damaged by floating debris, cavitation free and fish, mammal and environmentally friendly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of and claims the priority of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 18/086,095, titled “WATER-DRIVENELONGATED-CONVEYOR TURBINE AND METHOD OF USING A WATER-DRIVENELONGATED-CONVEYOR TURBINE,” filed Dec. 21, 2022, which is a Divisionalof and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/787,769, titled “WATER-DRIVEN ELONGATED-CONVEYOR TURBINE AND METHODOF USING A WATER-DRIVEN ELONGATED-CONVEYOR TURBINE,” filed Feb. 11,2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,536,244, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to converting mechanical energy toelectrical energy and more particularly concerns harnessing the powergenerated by the movement of large masses of water such as ocean tidesand the flow of rivers and streams.

The two most common types of hydrokinetic turbine are axial flowturbines and cross-flow turbines. Axial flow turbines areFerris-wheel-like devices. Peripheral blades rotate about a center axis.Each blade is perpendicular to the driving water flow only at the nadirof the wheel. Cross-flow turbines are propeller-like devices. Radialblades on a center shaft rotate in transverse relationship to thedriving water flow.

Low head turbines such as water wheels have extremely low efficiency.Therefore, sections of rivers with little or no head are not economicalresources for axial water flow power generation. More traditionalturbines such as those of Francis, Pelton and Kaplan require high headsof water to generate the pressure and velocity necessary for operation.Therefore, sections of rivers with little or no head are not at alleconomical resources for cross water flow power generation.

The majority of tidal turbines currently available are low efficiencyand targeted for use in high velocity water. The high velocityrequirement limits the locations available for deployment becauseotherwise desirable tidal areas are often located in sparsely populatedregions far from peak electricity demand.

Many tidal turbines have drawbacks beyond the availability of suitablewater flow conditions. Large crane vessels are often needed to installthe foundations as well as the turbines. Installation in normalconditions can be extremely expensive and unusual weather conditions cangreatly increase the installation costs. Once installed, severe damagefrom rogue weather can pile high maintenance costs on top of the highinstallation costs.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a water-driventurbine that can extract energy from water flowing at any speed. Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a water-driven turbine that isefficient in low and high velocity water flow. A further object of thisinvention is to provide a water-driven turbine that is capable ofoperation while floating, resting on a water bed or at any depth inbetween. An additional object of this invention is to provide awater-driven turbine that can be towed from shore to site. It is also anobject of this invention to provide a water-driven turbine that can betowed or self-propelled to the site of installation. Yet another objectof this invention is to provide a water-driven turbine that mitigatesthe significance of impact of its components with floating debris. Stillanother object of this invention is to provide a water-driven turbinethat is cavitation free. And it is an object of this invention toprovide a water-driven turbine that is fish and mammal friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fixed-paddle power-generating turbine in accordance with the inventionuses flow of water to drive an endless conveyor along a path includingdown-streaming and up-streaming straightaways. Paddles are spaced atequal or variable intervals along, fixed to and extend outwardly fromthe conveyor. The paddles extend downward into the flow of water on thedown-streaming straightaway and upward out of the flow of water on theup-stream straightaway. The paddles extending downward are drivendownstream by the flow of water. At least significant portions of thepaddles extending upward are driven against the atmosphere. Because ofthe force differential, the paddles on the down-streaming straight awaycontinuously cause the endless conveyor to travel along its path.

Each paddle is independently interchangeable with replacement paddles ofdifferent shape, size and/or angle of attack to suit the mode ofoperation and the characteristics of the flow of water. In a deploymentmode the conveyor is responsive to an external drive to cause theturbine to crawl from one location to another. In an operating mode theconveyor is responsive to the flow of water to cause the turbine togenerate power.

The fixed-paddle power-generating turbine is primarily intended tooperate at the surface of a flow of water and can be moored using amultiple-point system with corresponding independently adjustablemooring lines or a single point swinging mooring line. The turbine mayinclude legs attached to its frame to support the turbine on bottom. Thelegs may be ballast-filled to stabilize the orientation of the turbinein the water when the legs are not resting on bottom. The fixed-paddlepower-generating turbine can include one or more modules mounted on itsframe and capable of containing a sufficient quantity of buoyancy orballast medium to set the level the turbine at a predetermined elevationin the flow of water. The quantity of buoyancy or ballast medium may bevariable so as to enable changing the elevation of the turbine in theflow of water. The modules can be manifolded to allow independentvariation of the quantity of buoyancy or ballast medium in each module.

A unidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine in accordancewith the invention uses flow of water to drive an endless conveyor alonga path with down-streaming and up-streaming straightaways. The paddlesare spaced at equal or variable intervals along and hinged to theconveyor and are limited to swing within high resistance orientationswhen on the down-streaming straightaway and within low resistanceorientations when on the up-streaming straightaway. Independent tethersconnected between corresponding paddles and the conveyor prevent thepaddles on the down-streaming straightaway from swinging beyond amaximal high resistance orientation. When in their high resistanceorientations the paddles are driven downstream by the flow of water,continuously causing the endless conveyor to travel along its path.

Each paddle is independently interchangeable with replacement paddles ofdifferent shape, size and/or angle of attack to suit the mode ofoperation and the characteristics of the flow of water. In a deploymentmode, the conveyor is responsive to an external drive to cause theturbine to crawl from one location to another. In an operational mode,the conveyor is responsive to the flow of water to cause the turbine togenerate power.

The unidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine is intended tooperate at or below the surface of the flow of water and can be mooredusing a multiple-point system with corresponding independentlyadjustable mooring lines or a single point swinging mooring line. Theturbine may include legs attached to its frame to support the turbine onbottom. The legs may be ballast-filled to stabilize the orientation ofthe turbine in the water when the legs are not resting on bottom. Theunidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine can include one ormore modules mounted on its frame and capable of containing a sufficientquantity of buoyancy or ballast medium to set the level the turbine at apredetermined elevation in the flow of water. The quantity of buoyancyor ballast medium may be variable so as to enable changing the elevationof the turbine in the flow of water. The modules can be manifolded so asto allow independent variation of the quantity of buoyancy or ballastmedium in each module.

A bidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine in accordancewith the invention uses reversing or tidal flows of water to drive anendless conveyor along a path including oppositely streamingstraightaways. Paddles are spaced at equal or variable intervals alongand are alternately oppositely hinged to the conveyor. When on thedown-streaming straightaway in one direction of the reversing flow ofwater, the odd paddles swing within high resistance orientations. Whenon the down-streaming straightaway in the opposite direction of thereversing flow of water, the even paddles swing within high resistanceorientations. When on the up-streaming straightaway in either directionof flow of water, all paddles swing within low resistance orientations.Independent tethers connected between corresponding paddles and theconveyor prevent the paddles from swinging beyond a maximal highresistance orientation when on the down-streaming straightaway. When intheir high resistance orientations the paddles are driven downstream bythe flow of water, continuously causing the endless conveyor to travelalong its path.

Each paddle is independently interchangeable with replacement paddles ofdifferent shape, size and/or angle of attack to suit the mode ofoperation and the characteristics of the flow of water. In a deploymentmode, the conveyor is responsive to an external drive to cause theturbine to crawl from one location to another. In an operational mode,the conveyor is responsive to the reversing flows of water tocontinuously cause the turbine to generate power.

The bidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine can operate ator below the surface of the flow of water and can be moored at or belowthe surface using a multi-point mooring system with correspondingindependently adjustable mooring lines, preferably at least one at eachend of the turbine, to maintain the conveyor in alignment within thereversing flows of water. The turbine may include legs attached to itsframe to support the turbine on bottom.

The legs may also be ballast-filled to stabilize the orientation of theturbine in the water when the legs are not resting on bottom. Thebidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine can include one ormore modules mounted on its frame and capable of containing a sufficientquantity of buoyancy or ballast medium to set the level of the turbineat a predetermined elevation in the flow of water. The quantity ofbuoyancy or ballast medium may be variable so as to enable changing theelevation of the turbine in the flow of water. The modules can bemanifolded to allow independent variation of the quantity of buoyancy orballast medium in each module.

The bidirectional hinged-paddle power-generating turbine may be orientedin the flow of water with the conveyor travelling about eitherhorizontal or vertical axes. Preferably the turbine will have a shroudshielding the paddles on the up-streaming straightaway against directattack by downstream flow of water.

In a fixed-paddle method of energy conversion in accordance with theinvention, outwardly extending spaced-apart paddles of shape, size andangle of attack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electricalenergy are fixed to an elongated endless conveyor. The conveyor isaligned longitudinally in a flow of water at an elevation at whichpaddles extending upward from the conveyor are at least partially aboveand paddles extending downward from the conveyor are below a surface ofthe flow of water. The conveyor is secured in the aligned orientationand the flow of water is allowed to propel paddles extending downwardfrom the conveyor downstream to turn the conveyor.

Paddles of shape, size and angle of attack suitable to cause theconveyor to crawl from one location to another may be initially fixed tothe conveyor and the conveyor driven by an external power source totransport the turbine from one location to another location at which theexternal source can be disconnected and the crawling paddles replaced,if necessary, by power-generating paddles.

The elevation of the conveyor in the flow of water can be set byinjecting a flotation or ballast medium into a level control moduleattached to a frame of the conveyor and adjusted by varying the quantityof the injected medium.

Prior to aligning the conveyor in the flow of water, a single pointswinging mooring line adapted to maintain the conveyor in a direction oftidal flow can be attached to a frame of the conveyor or, alternatively,a multi-point mooring system with corresponding independently adjustablemooring lines can be attached to a frame of the conveyor, for use inpositioning the conveyor in the flow of water. In the latteralternative, the mooring lines can also be independently adjusted totransport the conveyor from shore into the flow of water.

In a unidirectional hinged-paddle surface method of energy conversion inaccordance with the invention, paddles of shape, size and angle ofattack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electrical energy arehinged at intervals to an elongated endless conveyor to swing withinhigh and low resistance orientations. The conveyor is longitudinallyaligned in a flow of water at an elevation at which the hinged paddles,when on an up-streaming straightaway of the conveyor, extend at leastpartly above a surface of the flow of water within the low resistanceorientations and, when on a down-streaming straightaway of the conveyor,extend fully into the flow of water within the high resistanceorientations. The conveyor is secured in the aligned orientation and theflow of water is allowed to propel paddles on the down-streamingstraightaway of the conveyor to turn the endless conveyor.

Paddles of shape, size and angle of attack suitable to cause theconveyor to crawl from one location to another location may be initiallyfixed to the conveyor and the conveyor driven by an external powersource to transport the turbine from one location to the other locationat which the external source can be unhinged and the crawling paddlesreplaced, if necessary, by power-generating paddles.

The elevation of the conveyor in the flow of water can be set byinjecting a flotation or ballast medium into a level control moduleattached to a frame of the conveyor and changed by varying the quantityof the injected medium.

Prior to aligning the conveyor in the flow of water, a single pointswinging mooring line adapted to maintain the conveyor in a direction oftidal flow can be attached to a frame of the conveyor or, alternatively,a multi-point mooring system with corresponding independently adjustablemooring lines can be attached to a frame of the conveyor, for use inpositioning the conveyor in the flow of water. In the latteralternative, the mooring lines can also be independently adjusted totransport the conveyor from shore into the flow of water.

In a unidirectional hinged-paddle below-surface method of energyconversion in accordance with the invention, paddles of shape, size andangle of attack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electricalenergy are hinged at intervals to an elongated endless conveyor to swingwithin high and low resistance orientations. The conveyor islongitudinally aligned in a flow of water at an elevation at which thehinged paddles are below a surface of the flow of water whether onup-streaming or down-streaming straightaways of the conveyor and swingwithin high resistance orientations when on the down-streamingstraightaway and within low resistance orientations when on theup-streaming straightaway. The conveyor is secured in the alignedorientation and the flow of water is allowed to propel paddles on thedown-streaming straightaway of the conveyor to turn the endlessconveyor.

Paddles of shape, size and angle of attack suitable to cause theconveyor to crawl from one location to another may be initially fixed tothe conveyor and the conveyor driven by an external power source totransport the turbine from one location to another location at which theexternal source can be unhinged and the crawling paddles replaced, ifnecessary, by power-generating paddles.

The elevation of the conveyor in the flow of water can be set byinjecting a flotation or ballast medium into a level control moduleattached to a frame of the conveyor and changed by varying the quantityof the injected medium.

Prior to aligning the conveyor in the flow of water, a single pointswinging mooring line adapted to maintain the conveyor in a direction oftidal flow can be attached to a frame of the conveyor or, alternatively,a multi-point mooring system with corresponding independently adjustablemooring lines can be attached to a frame of the conveyor, for use inpositioning the conveyor in the flow of water. In the latteralternative, the mooring lines can also be independently adjusted totransport the conveyor from shore into the flow of water.

In a bidirectional hinged-paddle surface method of energy conversion inaccordance with the invention, paddles of shape, size and angle ofattack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electrical energy arehinged at intervals to an elongated endless conveyor. Alternate paddlesare limited to swing in opposite directions within high and lowresistance orientations, the odd paddles swinging within the highresistance orientations when on the down-streaming straightaway of theconveyor, the even paddles swinging within the high resistanceorientations when on the down-streaming straightaway of the conveyor andall the paddles swinging within the low resistance orientations on theup-streaming straightaway of the conveyor. The conveyor islongitudinally aligned in a reversing flow of water at an elevation atwhich the hinged paddles, when on the up-streaming straightaway of theconveyor, extend at least partly above a surface of the flow of waterand, when on the down-streaming straightaway of the conveyor, extendfully into the flow of water. The conveyor is secured in the alignedorientation. Flow in one direction of reversing flow is allowed topropel the odd paddles on the down-streaming straightaway and cause theconveyor to generate power. Flow in the opposite direction of reversingflow is allowed to propel the even paddles on the down-streamingstraightaway. Thus, the conveyor continuously generates power.

Prior to aligning the conveyor in the flow of water at least twoindependently adjustable mooring lines can be attached to a frame of theconveyor. The mooring lines can be independently adjusted to positionthe conveyor in the reversing flow path and, in narrow channels, totransport the conveyor from shore to the flow of water.

In a bidirectional hinged-paddle below-surface method of energyconversion in accordance with the invention, paddles of shape, size andangle of attack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electricalenergy are hinged at intervals to an elongated endless conveyor.Alternate paddles are limited to swing in opposite directions withinhigh and low resistance orientations, the odd paddles swinging withinthe high resistance orientations when on the down-streaming straightawayof the conveyor, the even paddles swinging within the high resistanceorientations when on the down-streaming straightaway of the conveyor andall the paddles swinging within the low resistance orientations on theup-streaming straightaway of the conveyor. The paddles on theup-streaming straightaway are shielded against direct attack by thedownstream flow of water. The conveyor is longitudinally aligned in thereversing flow of water at an elevation at which the hinged paddles arefully in the flow of water on the oppositely streaming straightaways.The conveyor is secured in the aligned orientation. Flow in onedirection of reversing flow is allowed to propel the odd paddles on thedown-streaming straightaway and cause the conveyor to generate power.Flow in the opposite direction of reversing flow is allowed to propelthe even paddles on the down-streaming straightaway and cause theconveyor to generate power. Thus, the conveyor continuously generatespower.

Prior to aligning the conveyor in the flow of water a multi-pointmooring system with corresponding independently adjustable mooring linescan be attached to a frame of the conveyor. The mooring lines can beindependently adjusted to position the conveyor in the reversing flowpath and, in narrow channels, to transport the conveyor from shore tothe flow of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed description and upon reference to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear left top perspective view of a preferred conveyor andpower take-off assembly of a water-driven turbine in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a right elevation view of the left side of the preferredconveyor and power take-off assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 3A-3G are front right top perspective views of exemplaryinterchangeable paddles usable with water driven turbines in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front right top perspective view of a fixed-paddlewater-driven turbine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the fixed-paddle water-driventurbine of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the orientation of a singlefixed paddle during a single conveyor rotation of the fixed-paddlewater-driven turbine of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a front right top perspective view of a unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the unidirectional hinged-paddlewater-driven turbine of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a right end elevation view of the unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the orientation of a singlehinged paddle during a single conveyor rotation of the unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 12 is a front right top perspective view of another unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view with the front frame wall removed of abidirectional hinged-paddle water-driven turbine in accordance with theinvention operating in a tidal flow directed downstream toward its maindrive sprocket assembly;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view with the front frame wall removed ofthe bidirectional water-driven turbine of FIG. 13 operating in areversed tidal flow directed downstream away from its main drivesprocket assembly;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of the orientation of twoadjacent hinged paddles during a single conveyor rotation in onedirection of the bidirectional turbine of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of the orientation of twoadjacent hinged paddles during a single conveyor rotation in a reverseddirection of the bidirectional turbine of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 17 is a front right top perspective view of the unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 7 with a single level controlmodule attached;

FIG. 18 is a front right top perspective view of the unidirectionalhinged paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 7 with multiple adjustablelevel control modules attached;

FIG. 19 is a front left top perspective view of the unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 7 with drive shafts alignedon vertical axes and with adjustable level control modules attached;

FIG. 20 is a left side elevation a view of the unidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a front left top perspective view of a bidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine in accordance with the invention withdrive shafts aligned on vertical axes, with multiple adjustable levelcontrol modules attached and with a housing containing the paddles onits up-streaming straightaway operating in a tidal flow directeddownstream toward its driven shaft;

FIG. 22 is front left top perspective view of the bidirectionalhinged-paddle water-driven turbine of FIG. 21 operating in a reversedtidal flow directed downstream from its driven shaft;

FIG. 23 is a front right top perspective view of the hinged-paddlewater-driven turbine of FIG. 7 with a cover added;

FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the hinged-paddle water-driventurbine of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of the hinged-paddle water-driventurbine of FIG. 7 with a water-flow directing cowling added;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of the hinged-paddle water-driventurbine of FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 27 is a front right top perspective view of the hinged-paddlewater-driven turbine of FIG. 7 mounted in a water-flow confiningchannel;

FIG. 28 is a side elevation view of the hinged paddle water-driventurbine of FIG. 27 ;

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the hinged-paddle water-driven turbine ofFIG. 7 moored to a riverbank by a four-point system; and

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the hinged-paddle water-driven turbine ofFIG. 7 moored by a single-point system.

While the invention will be described in connection with preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended tolimit the invention to those embodiments or to the details of theconstruction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Common Components of the Various Embodiments of theTurbine

Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2 , various embodiments of a water-driventurbine in accordance with the invention have in common an elongatedendless conveyor 10 including a down-streaming straightaway 11 and anup-streaming straightaway 13 connected at their ends by downstream andupstream travel-reversing turns 15 and 17. As used herein, “downstream”and “upstream” and “down-streaming” and “up streaming” are in referenceto the direction of flow of water F. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , thepreferred conveyor 10 consists of two lengthwise chains 20 and twowidthwise, preferably identical, sprocket assemblies 30 forming agenerally orthogonal conveyor 10.

Each conveyor chain 20 consists of a series of links 21 in whichpaddle-attachment links 23 are correspondingly interspersed. Eachsprocket assembly 30 has two sprockets 31, one mounted on each end of awidthwise shaft 33. for rotation in unison. Each lengthwise conveyorchain 20 is engaged on corresponding sprockets 31 of the two sprocketassemblies 30. The shafts 33 and sprockets 31 rotate and the chains 20travel in unison in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.In a deployment mode, an external source of energy (not shown) drivesthe conveyor 10. In a power-generating mode, the flow of water F drivesthe conveyor 10.

Continuing to look at FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred support frame 40 forthe chains 20 and the sprocket assemblies 30 has at least one elongatedinterior module 41 capped by two identical end modules 43. The endmodules 43 are adapted to support the above-described sprocketassemblies 30. The ability to serially connect multiple identicalinterior modules 41 between the end modules 43 facilitates efficiency inturbine assembly and also enables assembly of more efficient turbines.

The interior modules 41 shown have lengthwise side panels 45 spacedapart by widthwise cross-members 27. The end modules 43 shown havelengthwise side panels 47 spaced apart by connection to the ends oftheir corresponding interior module side panels 45 and by the structureof their corresponding widthwise sprocket assemblies 30. Preferably, andas shown, the sprockets 31 of both sprocket assemblies 30 will be ofequal diameter so that the chains 20 will have parallel down-streamingand up-streaming straightaways 11 and 13.

In an operable scaled-down test prototype, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a frame 40 with two interior modules 41 each two meters long werecapped by end frame modules 43 each one half meter long. The side panels45 and 47 of the interior and end modules 41 and 43 were fabricated frompainted steel sections. The end modules 43 were equipped with conveyortensioners (not shown). Every third link of each conveyor chain 20 was apaddle-attachment link 23, facilitating a wide range of paddle setups.

Interchangeable Paddles

Still looking at FIGS. 1 and 2 , and as explained above, each conveyorchain 20 consists of a series of links 21 interspersed withpaddle-attachment links 23. The paddle-attachment links 23 are alignedon widthwise axes 25 of the conveyor 10. The efficiency of the turbinewill, at least in part, be dependent upon the spacing of the paddlesattached to the paddle-attachment links 23. The spaces between thepaddle-attachment links 23 can be equal or variable in length and can beasymmetric. However, is not required that every paddle-attachment link23 be used for attachment of a paddle and the distances between usedpaddle-attachment links 23 may be constant, symmetrically sequenced orrandom, so the spacing of paddles is easily varied. The more frequentthe paddle-attachment links 23 in the conveyor chains 20, the greaterthe flexibility in paddle arrangement.

The efficiency of a turbine in its deployment and power-generating modesis, at least in part, dependent upon the number, size and shape of thepaddles 50 and on the angles of idle 55 and attack 57 of the paddlesattached to the paddle-attachment links 23. As used herein, “elongated”characterizes the “straightaways” as being straight for a distancesupporting more than one paddle at the same time. In the deploymentmode, smaller paddles are better suited to facilitate the turbinecrawling from one location to another, whether on or off shore. When aturbine reaches a buoyancy depth in the water, the smaller paddles canbe replaced by larger paddles to provide more rapid deployment travel.Once deployment has been completed, the paddles can again be changed tomaximize the power-generating performance of the turbine. The conveyor10 shown permits paddle changes to be made ashore or in the water.

Turning to FIGS. 3A-3G, the different paddles 50 shown are exemplary ofa wide range of paddle options. Long flat rectangular paddles 50 a, suchas seen in FIG. 3A, are preferred in deeper waters, typically greaterthan five meters and most likely in ocean currents because of the waterdepth and because larger paddles will not be impacted by thesurroundings. Short flat rectangular paddles 50 b, such as seen in FIG.3B, are preferred in shallow waters, typically less than five meters andmost likely in rivers and similar waterways with shallow depths in whichdrag on the bed of the river or waterway might slow the rotation of theturbine conveyor 10. Angled paddles 50 c, such as seen in FIG. 3C,reduce the drag applied during transition from the down-streamingstraight away 11 to the up-streaming straight away 13. Arced paddles 50d, such as seen in FIG. 3D, can have a vertical-plane curvatureaccommodating waterflow speed in order to maximize turbulence at theedges of the paddle. Intermediate length paddles 50 e, such as seen inFIG. 3E, may be preferred when the turbine is mounted in a channel or isbidirectional. Very short paddles 50 f, such as seen in FIG. 3F, may bepreferred when a turbine is operating in a crawling or self-deployingmode on shore or in very shallow water. Arced paddles 50 g, such as seenin FIG. 3G, can have a horizontal-plane curvature useful in low speedwater flow conditions, acting as a bucket to harness greater volumes ofwater to generate power and to allow water on the backside of the paddleto be deflected around the edge of the paddle so that each paddle is notpushing water. Whether paddles are “suitable” for use in relation toturbine-crawling paddles and power-generating paddles can be empiricallydetermined.

Continuing to look at FIGS. 3A-3G, the exemplary paddles 50 a-g,generically identified as paddles 50, can be made of a rigid material,perhaps plastic or metal. Each of the paddles 50 is reinforced by awidthwise bar 51. The ends 53 of the bar 51 are configured to be mountedon their corresponding paddle-attachment links 23 to secure the paddle50 between the conveyor chains 20. The paddle-attachment links 23cooperate with the bar 51 to facilitate the interchanging of paddles 50and to lock the paddle 50 to the conveyor chains 20 at a selected idleangle 55 relative to the conveyor 10.

Drive Chain Options

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the downstream flow of water F in which theturbine is deployed may be toward either one of the sprocket assemblies30. As shown, the upstream sprocket assembly 30 has been arbitrarilyselected to serve as the main drive sprocket assembly. As also shown,the direction of downstream water flow F has been arbitrarily chosen toflow from the main drive sprocket assembly 30 toward the secondarysprocket assembly 30.

The sprocket assembly 30 serving as the main sprocket assembly ismodified by the addition of at least one and as shown two main drivesprockets 35. The main drive sprockets 35 are mounted for rotation inunison with their respective sprocket assembly shaft 33 and are coupledby corresponding main drive chains 37 to corresponding power take-off(PTO) sprockets 39 mounted on and for rotation with a PTO shaft S. ThePTO shaft S is journaled on brackets 49 added to the support frame 40and has an extended length to facilitate connection to a wide variety ofenergy-harnessing systems.

Fixed-Paddle Turbines

Turning now to FIGS. 4-5 , in the fixed-paddle turbine 100 shown, elevenpaddles 50 are spaced apart along the conveyor 10 and fixed to theconveyor chains 20. The paddles 50 are said to be fixed to the conveyorchains 20 because each paddle-attachment link 23 locks its paddle 50 ina constant angular relationship to its paddle-attachment link 23.Therefore, the paddles 50 always extend outward from the conveyor 10 atan idle angle 55 with respect to the up-streaming straightaway 13 and atan attack angle 57 with respect to the down-streaming straightaway 13.Preferably, and as shown, the angles 55 and 57 are equal and the paddles50 are in planes perpendicular to the lengthwise axes 29 of the conveyor10 when on the straightaways 13 and 15 and to their paddle-attachmentlinks 23 when on the turns 17 and 19.

The fixed-paddle turbine 100 is intended to be operated with theup-streaming straightaway 13 of the conveyor 10 generally parallel tothe surface of the flow of water F. It is well suited for use in a riveror other unidirectional waterway, as shown in a flow of water F from themain drive sprocket assembly 30 toward the secondary sprocket assembly30, but water flow from the secondary sprocket assembly 30 toward themain drive sprocket assembly 30 would serve as well.

The fixed-paddle turbine 100 is also capable of bidirectional operation.For example, in a power-generating mode in a tidal application, if flowof water F in one direction results in clockwise travel of the conveyor10, tide reversal will result in counterclockwise travel of the conveyor10. In either direction of tidal flow the PTO shaft S will stilltransfer energy from the turbine 100 to the power harnessing device (notshown).

FIG. 6 illustrates a single conveyor cycle C for a single fixed paddle50 during its power-generating mode of operation. While thepaddle-attachment link 23 is on the down-streaming straightaway 11, itspaddle 50 extends downward into the flow of water F. As thepaddle-attachment link 23 transitions through the downstream turn 15,the paddle 50 remains perpendicular to its paddle-attachment link 23,generally radially outwardly from the conveyor 10. While thepaddle-attachment link 23 is on the up-streaming straightaway 13, itspaddle 50 extends upward into the atmosphere. As the paddle-attachmentlink 23 transitions through the upstream turn 17, the paddle 50 remainsperpendicular to its paddle-attachment link 23, generally radiallyoutwardly from the conveyor 10. This completes one cycle C for onepaddle 50 of the fixed-paddle turbine 100.

The paddles 50 are entirely in the flow of water F when on thedown-streaming straightaway 11 and at least partially and preferablyentirely above the surface on the up-streaming straightaway 13.Therefore, the flow of water F drives the downward extending paddles 50downstream and the at least partially above surface paddles 50 travelupstream against a lesser force. The force differential continuouslycauses the paddles 50 on the down-streaming straightaway 11 to propelthe conveyor chains 20 to travel along the endless conveyor path,driving the sprockets 31 and the shaft 33 of the main sprocket assembly30 and also the drive sprocket 35 added to the shaft 33. The single PTOsprocket 39 and the PTO shaft S are journaled on a single bracket 49added to the support frame 40. The drive chain 37 links the drivesprocket 35 and the PTO sprocket 39 and the PTO shaft S transfers energyfrom the fixed-paddle turbine 100 to a power harnessing device (notshown).

Unidirectional Hinged-Paddle Turbines

Turning now to FIGS. 7-11 , in the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine200 shown, the frame 40 supports a conveyor 10 with twelve paddles 50spaced apart along and hinged to its chains 20. The main drive sprocketassembly of the hinged-paddle turbine 200 is, as shown, the downstreamassembly 30. Unlike the fixed-paddle turbine 100, the hinged-paddleturbine 200 has two main drive sprockets 35 mounted on oppositerespective ends of, and for rotation in unison with, their shaft 33 andeach main drive sprocket 35 is coupled by a corresponding main drivechain 37 to respective PTO sprockets 39 mounted on opposite ends of acommon PTO shaft S.

Looking at FIGS. 7 and 9 , on the down-streaming straightaway 11 thehinged paddles 50 swing within variable high resistance orientations.High resistance orientations are those angular orientations of a paddle50 from the down-streaming straightaway 11 in which the paddle 50 tendsto swing in the direction of flow F toward a maximal high resistanceorientation. As seen in FIG. 9 , paddles 50 on the down-streamingstraightaway 11 have swung away from the down-streaming straightaway 11into a maximal high resistance high resistance orientation in the flowof water F. The maximal high resistance orientation of each paddle 50 isdetermined by a flexible tether 60 attached at one end to a free cornerof the paddle 50 and at the other end to the conveyor 10, preferably toan otherwise unused paddle attachment link 23 of the conveyor. As bestseen in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the tethers 60 limit the down-streaming swing oftheir respective paddles 50 to a predetermined maximal high resistanceorientation which, as shown, is at a 90° attack angle 57. The lengths ofthe tethers 60 or the location of their connection points to the chains20 can be adjusted to change the attack angle 57.

Continuing to look at FIGS. 7 and 9 , on the up-streaming straightaway13 the hinged paddles 50 swing within variable low resistanceorientations. Low resistance orientations are those angular orientationsof a paddle 50 from the up-streaming straightaway in which the paddle 50tends to swing against the direction of flow F toward a minimal lowresistance orientation. The minimal low resistance orientation of eachpaddle 50 is determined by its respective conveyor chain attachment link23. However, as can be understood from FIGS. 7 and 9 , an attachmentlink 23 could limit the up-streaming swing of its respective paddles 50to an angle at which the paddle 50 makes contact with its trailingpaddle 50, or to a lesser or greater angle. If, as shown, swing islimited to the contact or to a lesser angle, the swing of the paddle 50will be ended when contact is made between adjacent paddles 50. If at agreater angle, the swing of the paddle 50 will be ended at the idleangle 55, before contact is made by adjacent paddles 50.

FIG. 11 illustrates a single conveyor cycle C for one hinged paddleduring its power-generating mode of operation. Looking at FIG. 11 inview of FIGS. 7-10 , while the paddle-attachment link 23 is on thedown-streaming straightaway 11, its paddle 50 is maintained by itstether 60 in the maximal high resistance orientation in the flow ofwater F. As the paddle-attachment link 23 transitions through thedownstream turn 15, the flexible tether 60 is for half the turn relaxedas the distance between the link 23 and the tether connection point 61decreases. Therefore, the flow of water F is allowed to cause the paddle50 to swing toward conformance to the direction of the flow of water F.As the paddle-attachment link 23 transitions the next half of the turn15 toward the up-streaming straightaway 13, the flexible tethers 60tightens as the distance between the link 23 and the tether connectionpoint 61 increases. When the paddle-attachment link 23 is on theupstreaming straightaway 13, the paddles 50 are pulled onto theup-streaming straightaway 13 and the link 23 maintains the paddle 50 atthe idle angle 55. As best seen in FIGS. 7-10 , the previous paddle 50is also maintained in its minimal resistance orientation at the idleangle 55 predetermined by its conveyor chain attachment link 23. If, asshown, the paddles 50 are longer than their spacing on the chains 20,the hinged end of the transitioning paddle 50 will lie under the freeend of the previous paddle 50. As the paddle-attachment link 23 travelsthe up-streaming straightaway, the paddle 50 remains in the minimalresistance orientation. When the paddle-attachment link 23 transitionsonto the up-stream turn 17, the paddle 50 is maintained in the minimalresistance orientation and turns with the link 23 until its free endpasses over its center of gravity. The paddle 50 then swings toward, andthe water flow will cause the paddle 50 swing fully to, the maximalresistance orientation. The tether 60 limits the swing of the paddle 50to the maximal resistance orientation. This completes one cycle C forone paddle 50 of the fixed-paddle turbine 200.

The hinged-paddle turbine 200 can be operated at any depth in the waterbecause hinged paddles 50 travelling on the down-streaming straightaway11 will be in the high resistance orientation and hinged paddles 50 onthe up-streaming straightaway 13 will be in the low resistanceorientation whether partly or entirely in or out of the water.

As shown in FIGS. 7-11 , and hereinafter in FIGS. 17, 18 and 23-30 , theconveyor of a unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine is in a generallyhorizontal orientation but, as hereinafter seen in FIGS. 19-22 , theconveyor of a unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine may be in a generallyvertical orientation.

In the power-generating mode of operation, when paddles 50 are on thedown-streaming straightaway 11 they swing the in the high resistanceorientations to the maximum high resistance orientation. When paddles 50are on the up-streaming straightaway 13 they swing in the lowresistance. Therefore, the flow of water F drives the paddles 50 on thedown-streaming straightaway 11 and the force differential continuouslypropels the conveyor chains 20 to travel along the endless conveyorpath, driving the sprockets 31 and the shaft 33 of the main sprocketassembly 30 and also the drive sprocket 35 added to the shaft 33. Thesingle PTO sprocket 39 and the PTO shaft S are journaled on a singlebracket 49 added to the support frame 40. The drive chain 37 links thedrive sprocket 35 and the PTO sprocket 39 and the PTO shaft S transfersenergy from the turbine to a power harnessing device (not shown).

Turning now to FIG. 12 , another unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine300 according to the invention is consistent with the above descriptionof the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 200 of FIGS. 7-11 exceptthat the FIG. 12 turbine 300 has only six paddles 50 and the spacingbetween the paddles 50 is greater than the length of the paddles 50. Asa result, the paddles 50 do not overlap while on the up-streamingstraightaway 13. And, since the orientation of the paddles 50 on theup-streaming straightaway 13 is determined by their paddle-attachmentlinks 23 to be at the acute predetermined idle angle 55, the spacing ofthe hinges 23 does not impact the operation. However, as will be seenhereinafter, if the spacing of the hinges 23 is less than the length ofthe paddles 50, the orientation of the paddles 50 on the up-streamingstraightaway 13 will be determined by contact of each paddle 50 with itsleading adjacent paddle or the predetermined idle angle 55, whicheverfirst occurs.

Like the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 200 in which the paddles50 on the up-streaming straightaway 13 overlap, the unidirectionalhinged-paddle turbine 300 in which the paddles 50 do not overlap can beoperated at any depth in the water. The hinged paddles 50 travelling onthe down-streaming straightaway 11 will be in the high resistanceorientations and the hinged paddles 50 on the up-streaming straightaway13, whether partly or entirely in or out of the water, will be in thelow resistance orientations. And the hinged-paddle turbine 300 can beoperated with its conveyor in a generally horizontal orientation or in agenerally vertical orientation.

Bidirectional Hinged-Paddle Turbines

Hinged-paddle turbines can be configured to operate in reversing flowsof water F, such as tidal flows, without reversing the alignment of theturbine. For example, looking at FIGS. 13-16 , a bidirectionalhinged-paddle turbine 400 has twelve paddles 50 ₁₋₁₂ alternately hingedso that six odd paddles 50 ₁₋₁₁ swing in one direction and six evenpaddles 50 ₂₋₁₂ swing in the opposite direction.

In FIG. 13 tidal flow F_(O) is directed toward the main drive sprocketassembly 30. The six odd paddles 50 ₁₋₁₁ are hinged so that they willswing downstream in high resistance orientations toward the main drivesprocket assembly 30 when they are on the down-streaming straightaway11. Their downstream swing is limited by their respective tethers 60 totheir maximal resistance orientation. Their upstream swing is in lowresistance orientations limited by their respective attachment links 23to their minimal resistance orientation unless they first contact theirimmediately leading even paddle 50 ₂₋₁₂.

At the point of conveyor travel seen in FIG. 13 , three odd paddles 50₁₋₅ are in the maximal resistance orientation on the down-streamingstraightaway 11. The other three odd paddles 50 ₇₋₁₁ are in the minimalresistance orientation on the up-streaming straightaway 13. At the sametime, three even paddles 50 ₁₂₋₄ are conforming in the flow of waterF_(O) toward the minimal resistance orientation on the down-streamingstraightaway 11. The other three even paddles 50 ₆₋₁₀ are falling towardthe minimal resistance orientation on the up-streaming straightaway 13but have contacted their immediately leading odd paddles 50 ₇₋₉,limiting their swing before reaching the minimal resistance orientation.

Looking at FIGS. 13 and 15 , while both the attachment link 23 of theodd paddle 50 ₁ and the connection point 61 of its respective flexibletether 60 are on the down-streaming straightaway 11, the odd paddle 50 ₁is limited by its tether 23 to the maximal high resistance orientationin the flow of water F_(O). At the same time, the flexible tether 61 ofthe trailing adjacent even paddle 50 ₂ is relaxed, allowing the trailingadjacent even paddle 50 ₂ to swing toward conformance with the directionof the flow of water F_(O).

Continuing to look at FIGS. 13 and 15 , the cooperation of theattachment links 23, tethers 60 and points of connection 61 of thetethers 60 to the conveyor chain 20 at the turns 15 and 17 will beunderstood. The attachment link 23 of the rigid odd paddle 50 ₁ leadsthe connection point 61 of its respective flexible tether 60 on the pathof the conveyor chain 20. The attachment link 23 of the rigid evenpaddle 50 ₂ trails the connection point 61 of its respective flexibletether 60 on the path of the conveyor chain 20.

For the odd paddles, the tethers 60 relax as the tether connectionpoints 61 move closer to their links 23, as when the link 23 of the oddpaddle 50 ₁ enters the downstream turn 15 of the conveyor 10. As thelink 23 pulls the odd paddle 50 ₁ onto the up-streaming straightaway 13,the odd paddle 50 ₁ will be supported by its link 23 in its minimalresistance orientation and remains in this condition until it begins totransition around the upstream turn 17. At the upstream turn 17, as thelink 23 of the odd paddle 50 ₁ leads the connection point 61 of itstether 60 into the turn 17, the tether 60 is still relaxed and the link23 pulls the odd paddle 50 ₁ until it passes beyond vertical and swingstoward the flow of water F_(O). The flow of water F_(O) then causes theodd paddle 50 ₁ to swing toward conformance with the direction of theflow. As the link 23 moves onto the down-streaming straightaway 11, thedistance between the link 23 and the connection point 61 of the tether60 increases. When both the link 23 and the connection point 61 are onthe down-streaming straightaway 11, the flow of water F_(O) will havebrought the odd paddle 50 ₁ into its maximal resistance orientation.

For flow of water F_(O) in the direction seen in FIG. 13 , the tethers60 of the even paddles 50 ₂₋₁₂ are always relaxed. When on thedown-swinging straightaway 11, the flow of water F_(O) causes them toswing toward conformance with the direction of flow. When on theup-stream straightaway 13, they are at the idle angle 55 set by theirlinks 23. This completes one cycle C for two paddles 50 ₁ and 50 ₂ ofthe fixed-paddle turbine 400 with flow of water in one direction F_(O).

In FIG. 14 tidal flow F_(E) is directed away from the main drivesprocket assembly 30. The six even paddles 50 ₂₋₁₂ are hinged so thatthey will swing downstream in high resistance orientations toward themain drive sprocket assembly 30 when they are on the down-streamingstraightaway 11. Their downstream swing is limited by their respectivetethers 60 to their maximal resistance orientation. Their upstream swingis in low resistance orientations limited by their respective attachmentlinks 23 to their minimal resistance orientation unless they firstcontact their immediately leading odd paddle 50 ₁₋₁₁.

At the point of conveyor travel seen in FIG. 14 , three even paddles 50₁₀₋₂ are in the maximal resistance orientation on the down-streamingstraightaway 11. The other three even paddles 50 ₄₋₈ are in the minimalresistance orientation on the up-streaming straightaway 13. At the sametime, three odd paddles 50 ₁₁₋₃ are conforming in the flow of waterF_(O) toward the minimal resistance orientation on the down-streamingstraightaway 11. The other three odd paddles 50 ₅₋₉ are falling towardthe minimal resistance orientation on the up-streaming straightaway 13but two of them 50 ₅₋₇ have contacted their immediately leading evenpaddles 50 ₆₋₈, limiting their swing before reaching the minimalresistance orientation.

Looking at FIGS. 14 and 16 , while both the attachment link 23 of theeven paddle 50 ₂ and the connection point 61 of its respective flexibletether 60 are on the down-streaming straightaway 11, the even paddle 50₂ is limited by its tether 23 to the maximal high resistance orientationin the flow of water F_(E). At the same time, the flexible tether 61 ofthe trailing adjacent odd paddle 50 ₁ is relaxed, allowing the trailingadjacent odd paddle 50 ₁ to swing toward conformance with the directionof the flow of water F_(E).

Continuing to look at FIGS. 14 and 16 , the cooperation of theattachment links 23, tethers 60 and points of connection 61 of thetethers 60 to the conveyor chain 20 at the turns 15 and 17 will beunderstood. The attachment link 23 of the rigid even paddle 50 ₂ leadsthe connection point 61 of its respective flexible tether 60 on the pathof the conveyor chain 20. The attachment link 23 of the rigid odd paddle50 ₁ trails the connection point 61 of its respective flexible tether 60on the path of the conveyor chain 20.

For the even paddles, the tethers 60 relax as the tether connectionpoints 61 move closer to their links 23, as when the link 23 of the evenpaddle 50 ₂ enters the downstream turn 15 of the conveyor 10. As thelink 23 pulls the even paddle 50 ₂ onto the up-streaming straightaway13, the even paddle 50 ₂ will be supported by its link 23 in its minimalresistance orientation and remains in this condition until it begins totransition around the upstream turn 17. At the upstream turn 17, as thelink 23 of the even paddle 50 ₂ leads the connection point 61 of itstether 60 into the turn 17, the tether 60 is still relaxed and the link23 pulls the even paddle 50 ₂ until it passes beyond vertical and swingstoward the flow of water F_(E). The flow of water F_(E) than causes theeven paddle 50 ₂ to swing toward conformance with the direction of flow.Once the link 23 moves onto the down-streaming straightaway 11, thedistance between the link 23 and the connection point 61 of the tether60 increases. When both the link 23 and the connection point 61 are onthe down-streaming straightaway 11, the flow of water F_(E) will havebrought the even paddle 50 ₂ into its maximal resistance orientation.

For flow of water F_(E) in the direction seen in FIG. 14 , the tethers60 of the odd paddles 50 ₁₋₁₁ are always relaxed. When on thedown-swinging straightaway 11, the flow of water F_(E) causes them toswing toward conformance with the direction of flow. When on theup-stream straightaway 13, they are at the idle angle 55 set by theirlinks 23. This completes one cycle C for two paddles 50 ₁ and 50 ₂ ofthe fixed-paddle turbine 400 with flow of water in the direction F_(E).

The bidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 400 of FIGS. 13-16 is intendedto be operated with the up-streaming straightaway 13 of the conveyor 10generally parallel to the surface of the reversing tidal flows of waterF_(O) or F_(E). In either direction of flow, some paddles travelling onthe down-streaming straightaway 11 will be in the downward extendinghigh resistance orientation entirely in the flow of water F_(O) or F_(E)and all paddles on the up-streaming straightaway 13 will be in acollapsed low resistance orientation at least partly out of the water.

In the power-generating mode of operation, in either direction of flowF, the force applied by the downstream flow of water F to the paddles 50in the high resistance orientation is the greater than the force appliedby the downstream flow of water F to the paddles 50 in the lowresistance orientation. The force differential drives the paddles 50 onthe down-streaming straightaway 11 and continuously propels the conveyorchains 20 to travel along the endless conveyor path.

In the power-generating mode of operation, when the tide changesdirection the conveyor 10 travels in the opposite direction. The PTOshaft S still transfers energy from the turbine 400 to the powerharnessing device (not shown).

Buoyancy Control Attachments

Adjustable buoyancy facilitates towing or self-deployment of the turbinefrom shore to site and also control of the depth at which the turbineoperates, whether floating on the surface, resting on bottom or at anydepth in between. Furthermore, floating turbines rise and fall with thetide and can be maintained by the buoyancy control system at anelevation at which components of the conveyor structure and add-oncomponents such as drive motors can be protected from constantdisposition in the water and can be more easily maintained and replaced.

Looking now at FIGS. 17-22 , the buoyancy of the turbine can becontrolled using various configurations of buoyancy modules 70, such asone or more polyethylene tubes 71 or tanks 73 attached to the turbineframe 40 by brackets 75. Typically, water can be pumped into orevacuated from the buoyancy modules 70 to provide the desired buoyancy.

As seen in FIG. 17 , the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 200 ofFIGS. 7-12 is in a horizontal conveyor orientation and has a buoyancycontrol horizontal tank 73 extending over the conveyor 10. The tank 73is attached to the frame 40 by brackets 75 spacing the tank 73 above thepaddles 50 on the up-streaming straightaway 13.

As seen in FIG. 18 , the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 200 ofFIGS. 7-12 is in a horizontal conveyor orientation and has two sets ofthree vertically stacked buoyancy control tubes 71, one set attached toeach side of the frame 40 by brackets 75 and extending along the lengthof the conveyor 10. Also as seen in FIG. 20 , the ends of the tubes 71can manifolded to permit buoyancy altering media to be pumped into orevacuated from each tube separately, affording precise adjustments ofthe depth of the turbine in the water.

As seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine200 of FIGS. 7-11 is in a vertical conveyor orientation and has one setof seven horizontally side-by-side tubes 71 attached to the uppersurface of the frame 40 by brackets 75 and extending above and acrossthe turbine 200.

As seen in FIGS. 21 and 22 , the bidirectional hinged-paddle turbine 400of FIGS. 13-16 is in a vertical conveyor orientation and has seven tubes71 in a horizontal side-by-side array attached to the frame 40 bybrackets 75.

Tubes 71, tanks 73 or combinations thereof can be custom arranged tocreate a level control system capable of containing a sufficientquantity of buoyancy or ballast medium to level the turbine at apredetermined elevation in the flow of water. Custom brackets 75 can beconfigured to connect the level control system to the frame 40 of theturbine.

The desired medium may be pumped from an independent source (not shown).Ballast medium can be used to stop the turbine from riding on top of thewater or to allow the turbine to remain level when in operation andheavy ballast medium can be used to sink the turbine to the seabed foroperation when positioned on the stand. Flotation medium can be used tokeep major aspects of the turbine such as external motors used in thedeployment of the turbine out of the water, to allow components of theturbine to be installed, removed or replaced, to simplify maintenance ofthe turbine, and to cause the turbine to rise and fall with the changingwater level due to the changes in the tide.

Protective Shrouds

Continuing to look at FIGS. 21 and 22 , the efficiency of anyhinged-paddle turbine can be enhanced by adding a shroud 65 to the frame40 to shield the up-streaming paddles 50 against direct attack by thedownstream flow of water F. The shroud 65 can be used with bothhorizontal and vertical conveyor shaft turbines. Fixed-paddle turbinesmay also be used in below-surface applications if a shroud shields thefixed paddles on the up-streaming straightaway from direct attack by theflow of water.

In the example of FIGS. 21 and 22 , the shroud 65 is used with abidirectional hinged-paddle vertical conveyor shaft turbine, such as theturbine 400 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 but in a horizontal conveyorshaft orientation. The use of the shroud 65 is especially significant incooperation with horizontal or vertical bidirectional hinged-paddleturbines because their tethers 60 are attached to alternate paddles 50hinged to swing in opposite directions. The shroud 65 reduces thepossibility that the tethers 60, when in a relaxed condition, might beentangled. Use of the shroud 65 enables use of bidirectionalhinged-paddle turbines 400 at any water depth from surface to thebottom.

Legs

Looking at FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 12-14, 17-18 and 23-25 , for horizontalconveyor turbines two vertical legs 80 each have vertical members 81extending downward from the side panels 45 of the interior frame modules41 to transverse base members 82. The vertical members 81 aresufficiently long to support the turbine above the water bed (not shown)when the transverse base members 82 rest on the water bed. The legs 80can be filled with ballast to assist in stabilizing a turbine resting onthe water bed, to prevent the turbine from riding on a surface of theflow of water, to tend to level the turbine in the flow of water or toallow the turbine to remain operational in very shallow waters.

Looking at FIGS. 19-22 , for vertical conveyor turbines at least two,and as shown three, parallel generally horizontal legs 83 are spacedalong the length of the turbine. Each leg 83 has a lower horizontalsegment 84 extending from the top of an upright segment 85 seated on thewater bed (not shown). The lower horizontal segment 84 is attached tothe lower interior side panel 45 of the frame 40. A higher horizontalsegment 86 extends from the lower horizontal segment 84 below and beyondthe width of the turbine to another upright segment 87. The uprightsegments 85 and 87 are sufficiently long to support the turbine abovethe water bed and the horizontal segment 86 is sufficiently long tocantilever the turbine from the lower horizontal segment 84.

Environmentally Friendly Cover

While the turbine is unobtrusive in both its surface and subsurfaceoperations, FIGS. 23 and 24 show, as an example, the unidirectionalhinged-paddle turbine 200 of FIG. 7 with an optional cover 90 attachedto the frame 40. The cover 90 spans above the hinged paddles 50 on theupper-streaming straightaway 13 from a point upstream of the downstreamsprocket assembly 30 to a point downstream of the swing of the paddle 50entering the upstream turn 17 of the conveyor 10. The cover 90 shown isa flat sheet and gives the turbine the appearance of an island. Grass,bushes, trees and other environmentally compatible adornments (notshown) can be added on the top of the cover to make the turbine blendinto the surroundings.

Increased-Flow-Rate Cowling

Turning to FIGS. 25 and 26 , the unidirectional hinged-paddle turbine200 of FIG. 7 has a flow-directing cowling 91 attached to the downstreamend of the frame 40. The exemplary cowling 91 shown flares outwardlyarcuately to direct a wider portion of the upstream flow of water Ftoward the paddles 50. The resulting increased rate of flow F past thepaddles 50 increases turbine power generating efficiency.

Increased-Flow-Rate Channel

Looking now at FIGS. 27 and 28 , the unidirectional hinged-paddleturbine 200 of FIG. 7 is mounted in a water-flow confining channel 93that can be used at any depth from flotation to seabed. As water flowsinto the channel 93 toward the upstream faces of the paddles 50, theflow of water F escaping the paddle surface is not dissipated into thebody of water. Rather, the flow of water to the sides of the paddles 50increases the rate of flow and the turbine power generating efficiency.

Mooring

Using the turbine 200 of FIG. 7 as an example and as seen in FIG. 29 , aturbine can be positioned in an appropriate direction in a flow of waterF by use of multiple independently adjustable mooring lines 94. Thenumber of lines 94 depends on the waterway geographics, the loadsapplied and the nature of the current. When positioning the turbine in ariver R as shown, the mooring lines 94 can initially be independentlyadjusted to take the turbine from the riverbank to the center of theflow of water F. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 30 , the turbine 200 canbe positioned in an appropriate direction in the flow of water F by useof a single point swinging mooring line 94, as shown anchored 95 at itsupstream end and yoked 97 at its downstream end to the upstream end ofthe turbine frame 40.

Method of Deploying and Using Elongated Conveyor Turbines

In accordance with the invention, the energy of flowing water can beconverted into electrical energy using an elongated endless conveyorwith spaced apart paddles.

Outwardly extending spaced-apart paddles of shape, size and angle ofattack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electrical energy arefixed to the elongated endless conveyor. The conveyor is longitudinallyaligned in a flow of water at an elevation at which the paddles, whenextending upwardly from the conveyor, are at least partially above asurface of the flow of water. The conveyor is secured in the alignedorientation. The flow of water is allowed to propel downwardly extendingpaddles in the downstream direction to turn the endless conveyor. Ifmoored in a tidal or otherwise reversing flow of water, bidirectionalflow of water can be harnessed.

Alternatively, a plurality of spaced-apart paddles of shape, size andangle of attack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electricalenergy are hinged at intervals to the elongated endless conveyor. Theswing of the hinged paddles is limited within high and low resistanceorientations in response to downstream and upstream movement of thepaddles, respectively, in relation to the flow of water. The conveyor isaligned longitudinally in the flow of water. The hinged paddles may bealigned at an elevation at which they extend, when on an up-streamingstraightaway of the conveyor, at least partly above a surface of theflow of water within the low resistance orientations and, when on adown-streaming straightaway of the conveyor, extend fully into the flowof water within the high resistance orientations. Alternatively, thehinged paddles may be aligned at an elevation at which they are fully inthe flow of water. The aligned conveyor is secured in the alignedorientation. The flow of water is allowed to propel the paddles on thedown-streaming straightaway of the conveyor to turn the endlessconveyor.

Alternatively, a plurality of spaced-apart paddles of shape, size andangle of attack suitable to convert water-flow energy into electricalenergy are hinged at intervals to the elongated endless conveyor.Alternate paddles are oppositely hinged so that odd paddles swing in onedirection and the even paddles swing in the opposite direction. In onedirection of flow of water, all of the even paddles are in idle or lowresistance orientations and in an opposite direction of flow of water,all of the odd paddles are in idle or low resistance orientations. Inone direction of flow of water, the odd paddles drive the conveyor andin the opposite direction of flow of water, the even paddles drive theconveyor. Given the availability of paddles in high resistanceorientations in either direction of flow, the operation of the alternatepaddle arrangement is substantially as described in relation to thenon-alternate paddle arrangement.

In accordance with the invention, the conveyor may be deployed bytowing, by crawling or by use of adjustable mooring lines. Crawling bythe conveyor to a selected flow of water requires initially fixing tothe conveyor paddles of shape, size and angle of attack suitable tocause the conveyor to crawl from one location to another and thendriving the conveyor by use of an external power source. Paddles can bereplaced on the conveyor at any location at any time by other paddles ofshape, size and angle of attack suitable to deploy the conveyor or toenable the conveyor to convert water-flow energy into electrical energy.Using adjustable mooring lines to deploy the conveyor requires attachinga multi-point mooring system with corresponding independently adjustablemooring lines to a frame of the conveyor and adjusting the mooring linesto guide the conveyor to its intended location. The mooring line methodof deployment is especially useful to transport the turbine from shoreto a unidirectional flow of water such as a river or a reversing flow ofwater such as a tidal channel.

The paddles may be fixed or hinged to the conveyor spaced at equal orvarying intervals along the conveyor as may be suitable to efficiency inthe deployment or energy-conversion modes of operation of the conveyor.

To align the conveyor at an elevation at which the paddles, whenextending upwardly from the conveyor, are at least partially above thesurface of the flow of water or to align the conveyor at an elevation atwhich paddles are fully in the flow of water, either a flotation mediumor a ballast medium is injected into a level control module attached toa frame of the conveyor to set the elevation and the quantity of theinjected medium is varied to change the elevation of the conveyor in theflow of water.

For securing the conveyor, a multi-point mooring system withcorresponding independently adjustable mooring lines may be attached toa frame of the conveyor. By independently adjusting the mooring linesthe conveyor can be secured in the flow of water. If a mooring system isused for deployment, the same mooring system may be used for securingthe conveyor. Alternatively, a single point swinging mooring line may beattached to the conveyor to maintain the conveyor in a direction oftidal flow.

Closing Observations

A brake, such as an electronic brake built into the PTO (not shown) or amechanical pen (not shown) operable to lock the sprockets, can beactivated to prevent rotation of the conveyor when the exertion ofextreme water forces might damage the turbine, during routinemaintenance or when installing or removing paddles or replacingturbine-crawling paddles with power-generating paddles.

Multiple conveyors may be combined in a single turbine. Individual orgroups of the conveyors may be independently selectively locked againstor unlocked for operation in specific applications. They may beconfigured to rotate in different directions and/or at different timesdepending upon the direction of the flow of water. They may be equippedwith paddles of different size, shape or angle of attack or at differentspacing to accommodate changing environmental and flow conditions.

Flow-directing cowlings, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26 ,can be used in combination with water-flow confining channels, such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 .

The elongated straightaways 11 and 13 of the conveyor 10 permit morethan one paddle 50 to be simultaneously propelled in a flow of water Fso as to optimize driven paddle area. The increased paddle areatranslates into efficiency of operation even in lower velocity flows ofwater.

The use of hinged paddles that swing to a substantially minimalresistance orientation on the return or up-streaming straightaway allowthe elongated straightaway turbine to operate with greater efficiencythan other devices. Use of two drive chains allows maximum torque to begenerated and extracted and power can be exported from the turbinethrough a mooring chain, an electrical cable or a mechanical PTO system.

Because it targets the mass of water rather than the water velocity, theelongated straightaway turbine is useful in a greater number oflocations than other water-driven devices. While shallow waters oftenhave a slower flow of tidal currents, a water depth of only one meterwill allow the elongated straightaway turbine to generate significantlymore energy than known devices operating at the same depth. And theelongated straightaway turbine is specially effective in tidal areasthat have a large volume of water travelling through them at a moderatevelocity rather than a moderate volume of water at a high velocity.

The turbine can operate as a fully floating structure having little orno impact on the seabed. Floating debris will not have any significantimpact on the turbine because debris will be able to pass through thedevice as it flows through the water. The turbine is fish and mammalfriendly and cavitation free because it operates at the same velocity asthe flow of water.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance withthe invention, a water-driven turbine and method of using thewater-driven turbine that fully satisfies the objects, aims andadvantages set forth above. While the invention has been described inconjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description.Accordingly, is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. For use in reversing flows of water, a turbinecomprising: an elongated endless conveyor having oppositely streamingstraightaways; and paddles spaced along and alternately oppositelyhinged to said conveyor for downward extension from a down-streamingsaid straightaway into, and upward extension from an up-streaming saidstraightaway out of, the reversing flows of water, odd saidalternately-hinged paddles to swing within high resistance orientationswhen on said down-streaming straightaway during one direction of theflow of water, even said alternately hinged paddles to swing within highresistance orientations when on said down-streaming straightaway duringthe opposite direction of the flow of water, and all saidalternately-hinged paddles to swing within a low resistance orientationwhen on an up-streaming straightaway during both directions of the flowof water; whereby, during the reversing flows of water, alternatepaddles on said down-streaming straightaway are in a high resistanceorientation and cause the conveyor to be continuously driven during theflow of water in either direction.
 2. A turbine according to claim 1,further comprising a mooring line system maintaining said conveyor inalignment within the reversing flows of water with said paddlesextending out of the flow of water when on said up-streamingstraightaway.
 3. A turbine according to claim 1, said conveyor being inone of a deployment mode responsive to an external drive to cause theturbine to crawl from one location to another and an operating moderesponsive to the reversing flows of water to cause the turbine togenerate power.
 4. A turbine according to claim 1, said conveyortravelling about one of horizontal and vertical axes.
 5. A turbineaccording to claim 1 further comprising a shroud shielding said paddleson said up-streaming straightaway from direct attack by the downstreamflow of water.